CVE-2005-3473 in Simple PHP Blog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Simple PHP Blog 0.4.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) entry, (2) blog_subject, and (3) blog_text parameters (involving the temp_subject variable) in (a) preview_cgi.php and (b) preview_static_cgi.php, or (4) scheme_name parameter and (5) bg_color parameters (involving the preset_name and result variables) in (c) colors.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3473 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Simple PHP Blog versions 0.4.5 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the blog's preview functionality, creating multiple attack vectors that allow remote threat actors to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's output. The vulnerability specifically targets several parameters including entry, blog_subject, blog_text, scheme_name, and bg_color, all of which are processed through different PHP scripts that fail to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are directly incorporated into the application's dynamic content generation process. When users submit data through the preview_cgi.php and preview_static_cgi.php scripts, the temp_subject variable and related parameters are not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. Similarly, the colors.php script processes scheme_name and bg_color parameters through preset_name and result variables without adequate input filtering, creating additional vectors for XSS exploitation. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary scripts in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Users who view affected blog entries or interact with the preview functionality become unwitting participants in the attack, as their browsers execute the injected malicious code without their knowledge. The vulnerability affects the core preview functionality of the blogging platform, making it particularly dangerous since users frequently interact with preview features while creating or editing content. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers who compromise individual blog entries or manipulate the application's configuration parameters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3473 should prioritize immediate patching of the Simple PHP Blog application to version 0.4.6 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that escape or filter all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the vulnerable parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed within the application context. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific parameter injection vectors. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability represents a technique for gaining initial access through web application attacks, making it critical to address promptly. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of flaw remains prevalent in web applications that fail to properly sanitize user input before rendering dynamic content.